Slotted casting spout with bottom control pin

ABSTRACT

A metal delivery system for a casting system includes a spout having a spout passageway extending through the spout with an elongated slot as a bottom orifice. A bottom control pin is positionable within the spout and is movable between a closed position and an open position. In certain aspects, in the closed position, the bottom control pin engages a portion of a surface of the passageway proximate to the bottom orifice.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/021,366, filed on May 7, 2020 and entitled SLOTTED CASTING SPOUT WITH BOTTOM CONTROL PIN, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to the casting of metals, and, more particularly, to metal delivery systems for casting systems.

BACKGROUND

In metal casting processes, molten metal is typically delivered from a molten metal source to a mold cavity via a metal delivery system. In some casting processes, such as direct chill (DC) casting, the mold cavity has a movable bottom block, and as the molten metal enters the mold cavity via the metal delivery system, the bottom block is lowered at a rate related to the flow of the molten metal. One type of metal delivery system that may be used during casting is a slotted casting spout. Existing slotted casting spouts control flow through the spout by utilizing a top control pin that engages a top end of the spout (opposite from a dispensing end). Existing slotted casting spouts also have a fixed orifice size that the molten metal flows through at the dispensing end of the spout.

SUMMARY

Embodiments covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various embodiments and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings, and each claim.

According to certain embodiments, a metal delivery system for a casting system includes a spout and a bottom control pin. The spout includes a top end having a top orifice and a bottom end having a bottom orifice, where the bottom orifice is an elongated slot. The spout also includes a spout passageway extending through the spout from the top orifice to the bottom orifice and that includes a passageway surface. The bottom control pin is positionable within the spout passageway and is movable between a closed position and an open position. In some examples, in the closed position, the bottom control pin engages a portion of the passageway surface proximate to the bottom orifice.

According to various examples, a metal delivery system for a casting system includes a spout having a top end with a top orifice and a bottom end with a bottom orifice. The spout also includes a spout passageway extending through the spout from the top orifice to the bottom orifice and that includes a passageway surface. In certain examples, a transverse dimension of a portion of the spout passageway between the top orifice and the bottom orifice is less than a transverse dimension of the top orifice and is less than a transverse dimension of the bottom orifice.

According to some embodiments, a metal delivery system for a casting system includes a spout and a bottom control pin. The spout includes a top end having a top orifice and a bottom end having a bottom orifice, where the bottom orifice is a slot. The spout also includes a spout passageway extending through the spout from the top orifice to the bottom orifice. The bottom control pin includes a pin end. The bottom control pin is positionable within the spout passageway and is movable between a closed position and an open position. In some cases, in the open position, the pin end is within the spout passageway, and, in the closed position, at least a portion of the bottom control pin extends through the bottom orifice and the pin end is external to the spout passageway.

Various implementations described herein can include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which cannot necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The specification makes reference to the following appended figures, in which use of like reference numerals in different figures is intended to illustrate like or analogous components.

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a metal casting system with a metal delivery system according to embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a metal delivery system with a bottom control pin according to embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the metal delivery system of FIG. 2 with the bottom control pin in a closed position.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the metal delivery system of FIG. 2 with the bottom control pin in an open position.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the metal delivery system of FIG. 2 with the bottom control pin in another open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of embodiments of the present disclosure is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described. Directional references such as “up,” “down,” “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “front,” and “back,” among others, are intended to refer to the orientation as illustrated and described in the figure (or figures) to which the components and directions are referencing.

Described herein are metal delivery systems with slotted casting spouts for casting systems that may be utilized for the delivery of molten metal into a mold during a casting process. While the metal delivery systems described herein can be used with any metal, they may be especially useful with aluminum. The metal delivery systems described herein each include a spout and a bottom control pin that is movable within the spout. The spout includes a top end with a top orifice, a bottom end with a bottom orifice, and a spout passageway that extends through the spout from the top orifice to the bottom orifice. During a casting process, molten metal may flow from the top end, through the spout passageway, and out the bottom orifice. The bottom orifice may be an elongated slot having opposing slot ends and that may give desired flow characteristics to molten metal flowing through the bottom orifice to provide desired characteristics in the metal ingot being cast.

The bottom control pin is movable between an open position, in which a flow path is defined between the top orifice and the bottom orifice, and a closed position, in which the flow path between the top orifice and the bottom orifice is blocked and not defined between the top orifice and the bottom orifice. In various aspects, the bottom control pin is movable between a plurality of open positions to allow for one or more flow rates of molten metal out the bottom orifice. The bottom control pin selectively engages a control portion of a surface of the spout passageway proximate to the bottom orifice in the closed position and is positionable relative to the control portion of the surface in the open position to control the flow rate of molten metal. The selective engagement and control from the bottom control pin proximate to the bottom orifice may minimize oxidation of the metal flowing through the casting spout and that commonly occurs with existing casting spouts. The bottom control pin may also provide improved flow control of the molten metal because the flow is controlled at or near the bottom orifice unlike existing casting spouts that are controlled with a top control pin at the top orifice and cannot accommodate changes in flow due to the flow environment within the spout passageway. In some examples, the bottom control pin may prevent or minimize metal solidification on the casting spout by dislodging and otherwise clearing out the spout passageway after casting.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a metal casting system 100 according to various embodiments. The metal casting system 100 generally includes a metal source 102, a metal delivery system 104, and a mold cavity 106. The metal delivery system 104 includes a spout 120 and a bottom control pin (omitted from FIG. 1 ). The spout 120 includes a top end 124 and a bottom end 126 opposite from the top end 124. As discussed in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 2-5 , the spout 120 of the metal delivery system 104 is a slotted casting spout, and the top end 124 includes a top orifice, the bottom end 126 includes a bottom orifice, and a spout passageway extends through the spout 120 from the top orifice to the bottom orifice. The bottom control pin is movable within the spout passageway as discussed in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 2-5 .

During casting, the metal source 102 supplies molten metal to the metal delivery system 104 (represented by arrow 122), and the molten metal flows through the spout 120, out the bottom end 126, and into the mold cavity 106. The metal flow is represented by arrows 118 in FIG. 1 . A bottom block 108 is movable relative to walls of the mold cavity 106 such that as molten metal is being cast into an ingot 110 and begins to solidify, the bottom block 108 can be lowered to allow for additional metal to lengthen the ingot 110. The ingot 110 being cast can include metal in various stages of solidification including solidified metal 112, transitional metal 114, and molten metal 116.

FIGS. 2-5 illustrate an example of a metal delivery system 204 according to various embodiments. The metal delivery system 204 is substantially similar to the metal delivery system 104 and includes the spout 220 having the top end (not visible in FIGS. 2-5 ) and the bottom end 226 opposite from the top end. The bottom end 226 includes a bottom orifice 228, the top end includes a top orifice (not visible in FIGS. 2-5 ), and a spout passageway 230 extends from the bottom orifice 228 to the top orifice. In certain examples, and as best illustrated in FIG. 2 , the bottom orifice 228 is an elongated slot having opposing slot ends 231, 232. The spout passageway 230 includes a passageway surface 234.

In various aspects, and as best illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 , a control portion 236 of the passageway surface 234 between the bottom orifice 228 and the top orifice has a transverse dimension 238 that is less than a transverse dimension 240 of the bottom orifice 228 and that is less than a transverse dimension of the top orifice. The transverse dimension of the top orifice may be equal to, less than, or greater than the transverse dimension 240 of the bottom orifice 228. As used herein, a “transverse dimension” refers to the dimension across the widest portion of the component. The transverse dimension may depend on a shape of the component. A diameter of an object is an example of a transverse dimension. As another example, the distance between the opposing slot ends 231, 232 of the bottom orifice 228 is the transverse dimension 240 of the bottom orifice 228. In some cases, the control portion 236 defines a narrowest portion of the spout passageway 230.

The control portion 236 of the passageway surface 234 may include a non-linear cross-sectional profile as illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 . In some cases, the profile of the control portion 236 is arcuate or radiused, although various other profiles may be utilized. In some cases, another portion 242 of the passageway surface 234 between the control portion 236 and the top orifice may optionally have a linear cross-sectional profile as illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 , although it need not be linear in other examples.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2-5 , the metal delivery system 204 also includes a bottom control pin 244. The bottom control pin 244 has a top end (not visible in FIGS. 2-5 ) and a bottom end 246 opposite from the top end. As best illustrated in FIG. 2 , in certain examples, the bottom end 246 may be elongated. A first portion 248 of the bottom control pin 244 is between the top end and the bottom end 246, and a second portion 250 of the bottom control pin 244 is between the first portion 248 and the bottom end 246. As best illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 , a transverse dimension 251 of the first portion 248 is greater than a transverse dimension 252 of the second portion 250. In various examples, the transverse dimension 251 of the first portion 248 is greater than the transverse dimension 238 of the control portion 236 of the spout passageway 230. Optionally, the second portion 250 may taper towards the bottom end 246. In some optional cases, a transition portion 256 of the bottom control pin 244 is between the first portion 248 and the second portion 250. Similar to the second portion 250, the transition portion 256 may taper towards the bottom end 246. The bottom control pin 244 is positionable within the spout passageway 230 such that the bottom end 246 of the bottom control pin 244 is more proximate to the bottom end 226 of the spout 220 than the top end of the bottom control pin 244.

When assembled with the spout 220, the bottom control pin 244 is movable between a closed position (FIG. 3 ) and one or more open positions (see, e.g., FIGS. 4 and 5 ). In various examples, in the closed position, a portion of the bottom control pin 244 engages the control portion 236 of the spout passageway 230 such that a flow path from the top orifice to the bottom orifice 228 of the spout 220 is not defined. In certain aspects, the transition portion 256, sub-portions of the first portion 248, and/or sub-portions of the second portion 250 may engage the control portion 236 in the closed position. As best illustrated in FIG. 3 , in the closed position, a portion of the bottom control pin 244 extends through the bottom orifice 228 such that the bottom end 246 is external to the spout passageway 230. In various aspects, the bottom control pin 244 extending through the bottom orifice 228 in the closed position may minimize or prevent metal solidification on the spout 220 after casting.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 , in the open position(s), the bottom control pin 244 is spaced apart from the passageway surface 234 such that a flow path (represented by the dashed lines with arrows 258) is defined between the top orifice and the bottom orifice 228, and molten metal can flow through the spout 220 from the top orifice and out the bottom orifice 228 along the flow path. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 , in the open position(s), the bottom end 246 of the bottom control pin 244 may be within the spout passageway 230. In certain aspects, the bottom control pin 244 is positionable at various open positions such that a size of a gap 260 between the control portion 236 and the bottom control pin 244 can be varied. In various aspects, varying the size of the gap 260 may control the flow rate of molten metal through the spout 220. As one non-limiting example, the open position illustrated in FIG. 5 may have a greater flow rate compared to the open position illustrated in FIG. 4 .

A collection of exemplary embodiments are provided below, including at least some explicitly enumerated as “Illustrations” providing additional description of a variety of example embodiments in accordance with the concepts described herein. These illustrations are not meant to be mutually exclusive, exhaustive, or restrictive; and the disclosure not limited to these example illustrations but rather encompasses all possible modifications and variations within the scope of the issued claims and their equivalents.

Illustration 1. A metal delivery system for a casting system, the metal delivery system comprising: a spout comprising: a top end comprising a top orifice; a bottom end comprising a bottom orifice, wherein the bottom orifice is an elongated slot; and a spout passageway extending through the spout from the top orifice to the bottom orifice and comprising a passageway surface; and a bottom control pin positionable within the spout passageway and movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein, in the closed position, the bottom control pin engages a portion of the passageway surface proximate to the bottom orifice.

Illustration 2. The metal delivery system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein the bottom control pin comprises a pin end, and wherein, in the closed position, a portion of the bottom control pin extends through the bottom orifice and the pin end is external to the spout passageway.

Illustration 3. The metal delivery system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein, in the open position, the pin end is within the spout passageway.

Illustration 4. The metal delivery system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein, in the open position, the bottom control pin is spaced apart from the passageway surface such that a flow path is defined from the top orifice to the bottom orifice, and wherein, in the closed position, the bottom control pin is engaged with the portion of the passageway surface such that the flow path is not defined from the top orifice to the bottom orifice.

Illustration 5. The metal delivery system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein a transverse dimension of the portion of the passageway surface is less than a transverse dimension of the bottom orifice.

Illustration 6. The metal delivery system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein the transverse dimension of the portion of the passageway surface is less than a transverse dimension of the top orifice.

Illustration 7. The metal delivery system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein the portion of the passageway surface comprises a non-linear cross-sectional profile.

Illustration 8. The metal delivery system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein the passageway surface comprises an arcuate profile.

Illustration 9. The metal delivery system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein the portion of the passageway surface is a first portion, wherein the passageway surface comprises a second portion between the first portion and the top orifice, and wherein the second portion comprises a linear cross-sectional profile.

Illustration 10. The metal delivery system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein the bottom control pin comprises: a top end; a bottom end opposite from the top end; a first portion between the top end and the bottom end; and a second portion between the first portion and the bottom end, wherein a transverse dimension of the second portion is less than a transverse dimension of the first portion, and wherein the bottom control pin is positionable within the spout passageway such that the bottom end of the bottom control pin is more proximate to the bottom end of the spout than the top end of the bottom control pin.

Illustration 11. The metal delivery system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein the second portion is configured to engage the portion of the passageway surface in the closed position.

Illustration 12. The metal delivery system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, further comprising a transition portion between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the transition portion is configured to engage the portion of the passageway surface in the closed position.

Illustration 13. A metal delivery system for a casting system, the metal delivery system comprising a spout comprising: a top end comprising a top orifice; a bottom end comprising a bottom orifice; and a spout passageway extending through the spout from the top orifice to the bottom orifice and comprising a passageway surface, wherein a transverse dimension of a portion of the spout passageway between the top orifice and the bottom orifice is less than a transverse dimension of the top orifice and is less than a transverse dimension of the bottom orifice.

Illustration 14. The metal delivery system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein the bottom orifice is an elongated slot.

Illustration 15. The metal delivery system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, further comprising a bottom control pin positionable within the spout passageway and movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein, in the closed position, the bottom control pin engages the portion of the passageway surface.

Illustration 16. The metal delivery system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein the bottom control pin comprises a pin end, and wherein, in the closed position, a portion of the bottom control pin extends through the bottom orifice and the pin end is external to the spout passageway.

Illustration 17. The metal delivery system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein, in the open position, the pin end is within the spout passageway.

Illustration 18. The metal delivery system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein, in the open position, the bottom control pin is spaced apart from the passageway surface such that a flow path is defined from the top orifice to the bottom orifice, and wherein, in the closed position, the bottom control pin is engaged with the portion of the passageway surface such that the flow path is not defined from the top orifice to the bottom orifice.

Illustration 19. The metal delivery system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein the portion of the passageway surface comprises a non-linear cross-sectional profile.

Illustration 20. The metal delivery system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein the passageway surface comprises an arcuate profile.

Illustration 21. The metal delivery system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein the portion of the passageway surface is a first portion, wherein the passageway surface comprises a second portion between the first portion and the top orifice, and wherein the second portion comprises a linear cross-sectional profile.

Illustration 22. The metal delivery system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, further comprising a bottom control pin movable within the spout passageway between an open position and a closed position, wherein the bottom control pin comprises: a top end; a bottom end opposite from the top end; a first portion between the top end and the bottom end; and a second portion between the first portion and the bottom end, wherein a transverse dimension of the second portion is less than a transverse dimension of the first portion, and wherein the bottom control pin is positionable within the spout passageway such that the bottom end of the bottom control pin is more proximate to the bottom end of the spout than the top end of the bottom control pin.

Illustration 23. The metal delivery system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein the second portion is configured to engage the portion of the passageway surface in the closed position.

Illustration 24. The metal delivery system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, further comprising a transition portion between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the transition portion is configured to engage the portion of the passageway surface in the closed position.

Illustration 25. A metal delivery system for a casting system, the metal delivery system comprising: a spout comprising: a top end comprising a top orifice; a bottom end comprising a bottom orifice, wherein the bottom orifice is a slot; and a spout passageway extending through the spout from the top orifice to the bottom orifice; and a bottom control pin comprising a pin end, wherein the bottom control pin is positionable within the spout passageway and movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein, in the open position, the pin end is within the spout passageway, and wherein, in the closed position, at least a portion of the bottom control pin extends through the bottom orifice and the pin end is external to the spout passageway.

Illustration 26. The metal delivery system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein, in the closed position, the bottom control pin engages a portion of the passageway surface proximate to the bottom orifice.

Illustration 27. The metal delivery system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein, in the open position, the bottom control pin is spaced apart from the passageway surface such that a flow path is defined from the top orifice to the bottom orifice, and wherein, in the closed position, the bottom control pin is engaged with the portion of the passageway surface such that the flow path is not defined from the top orifice to the bottom orifice.

Illustration 28. The metal delivery system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein a transverse dimension of the portion of the passageway surface is less than a transverse dimension of the bottom orifice.

Illustration 29. The metal delivery system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein the transverse dimension of the portion of the passageway surface is less than a transverse dimension of the top orifice.

Illustration 30. The metal delivery system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein the portion of the passageway surface comprises a non-linear cross-sectional profile.

Illustration 31. The metal delivery system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein the passageway surface comprises an arcuate profile.

Illustration 32. The metal delivery system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein the portion of the passageway surface is a first portion, wherein the passageway surface comprises a second portion between the first portion and the top orifice, and wherein the second portion comprises a linear cross-sectional profile.

Illustration 33. The metal delivery system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein the bottom control pin further comprises: a top end opposite from the pin end; a first portion between the top end and the pin end; and a second portion between the first portion and the pin end, wherein a transverse dimension of the second portion is less than a transverse dimension of the first portion, and wherein the bottom control pin is positionable within the spout passageway such that the pin end of the bottom control pin is more proximate to the bottom end of the spout than the top end of the bottom control pin.

Illustration 34. The metal delivery system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, wherein the second portion is configured to engage a portion of the passageway surface in the closed position.

Illustration 35. The metal delivery system of any preceding or subsequent illustrations or combination of illustrations, further comprising a transition portion between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the transition portion is configured to engage a portion of the passageway surface in the closed position.

The above-described aspects are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications can be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims that follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the described embodiments, nor the claims that follow. 

1. A metal delivery system for a casting system, the metal delivery system comprising: a spout comprising: a top end comprising a top orifice; a bottom end comprising a bottom orifice, wherein the bottom orifice is an elongated slot; and a spout passageway extending through the spout from the top orifice to the bottom orifice and comprising a passageway surface; and a bottom control pin positionable within the spout passageway and movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein, in the closed position, the bottom control pin engages a portion of the passageway surface proximate to the bottom orifice.
 2. The metal delivery system of claim 1, wherein the bottom control pin comprises a pin end, wherein, in the closed position, a portion of the bottom control pin extends through the bottom orifice and the pin end is external to the spout passageway, and wherein, in the open position, the pin end is within the spout passageway.
 3. The metal delivery system of claim 1, wherein, in the open position, the bottom control pin is spaced apart from the passageway surface such that a flow path is defined from the top orifice to the bottom orifice, and wherein, in the closed position, the bottom control pin is engaged with the portion of the passageway surface such that the flow path is not defined from the top orifice to the bottom orifice.
 4. The metal delivery system of claim 1, wherein a transverse dimension of the portion of the passageway surface is less than a transverse dimension of at least one of the bottom orifice or the top orifice.
 5. The metal delivery system of claim 1, wherein the portion of the passageway surface comprises a non-linear cross-sectional profile.
 6. The metal delivery system of claim 5, wherein the portion of the passageway surface is a first portion, wherein the passageway surface comprises a second portion between the first portion and the top orifice, and wherein the second portion comprises a linear cross-sectional profile.
 7. The metal delivery system of claim 1, wherein the bottom control pin comprises: a top end; a bottom end opposite from the top end; a first portion between the top end and the bottom end; and a second portion between the first portion and the bottom end, wherein a transverse dimension of the second portion is less than a transverse dimension of the first portion, and wherein the bottom control pin is positionable within the spout passageway such that the bottom end of the bottom control pin is more proximate to the bottom end of the spout than the top end of the bottom control pin.
 8. The metal delivery system of claim 7, wherein the bottom control pin further comprises a transition portion between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the transition portion is configured to engage the portion of the passageway surface in the closed position.
 9. A metal delivery system for a casting system, the metal delivery system comprising a spout comprising: a top end comprising a top orifice; a bottom end comprising a bottom orifice; and a spout passageway extending through the spout from the top orifice to the bottom orifice and comprising a passageway surface, wherein a transverse dimension of a portion of the spout passageway between the top orifice and the bottom orifice is less than a transverse dimension of the top orifice and is less than a transverse dimension of the bottom orifice.
 10. The metal delivery system of claim 9, wherein the bottom orifice is an elongated slot.
 11. The metal delivery system of claim 9, further comprising a bottom control pin positionable within the spout passageway and movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein, in the closed position, the bottom control pin engages the portion of the passageway surface.
 12. The metal delivery system of claim 11, wherein the bottom control pin comprises a pin end, and wherein, in the closed position, a portion of the bottom control pin extends through the bottom orifice and the pin end is external to the spout passageway, and wherein, in the open position, the pin end is within the spout passageway.
 13. The metal delivery system of claim 11, wherein, in the open position, the bottom control pin is spaced apart from the passageway surface such that a flow path is defined from the top orifice to the bottom orifice, and wherein, in the closed position, the bottom control pin is engaged with the portion of the passageway surface such that the flow path is not defined from the top orifice to the bottom orifice.
 14. The metal delivery system of claim 9, wherein the portion of the passageway surface comprises a non-linear cross-sectional profile, wherein the portion of the passageway surface is a first portion, wherein the passageway surface comprises a second portion between the first portion and the top orifice, and wherein the second portion comprises a linear cross-sectional profile.
 15. A metal delivery system for a casting system, the metal delivery system comprising: a spout comprising: a top end comprising a top orifice; a bottom end comprising a bottom orifice, wherein the bottom orifice is a slot; and a spout passageway extending through the spout from the top orifice to the bottom orifice; and a bottom control pin comprising a pin end, wherein the bottom control pin is positionable within the spout passageway and movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein, in the open position, the pin end is within the spout passageway, and wherein, in the closed position, at least a portion of the bottom control pin extends through the bottom orifice and the pin end is external to the spout passageway.
 16. The metal delivery system of claim 15, wherein, in the closed position, the bottom control pin engages a portion of the passageway surface proximate to the bottom orifice.
 17. The metal delivery system of claim 16, wherein, in the open position, the bottom control pin is spaced apart from the passageway surface such that a flow path is defined from the top orifice to the bottom orifice, and wherein, in the closed position, the bottom control pin is engaged with the portion of the passageway surface such that the flow path is not defined from the top orifice to the bottom orifice.
 18. The metal delivery system of claim 16, wherein the portion of the passageway surface comprises a non-linear cross-sectional profile.
 19. The metal delivery system of claim 15, wherein the bottom control pin further comprises: a top end opposite from the pin end; a first portion between the top end and the pin end; and a second portion between the first portion and the pin end, wherein a transverse dimension of the second portion is less than a transverse dimension of the first portion, and wherein the bottom control pin is positionable within the spout passageway such that the pin end of the bottom control pin is more proximate to the bottom end of the spout than the top end of the bottom control pin.
 20. The metal delivery system of claim 19, wherein the bottom control pin further comprises a transition portion between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the transition portion is configured to engage a portion of the passageway surface in the closed position. 